Starting at a community college and transferring to a four-year university can be a smart and affordable way to earn a bachelor’s degree. But transferring doesn’t mean you have to pay for the rest of your education without scholarship support.
There are scholarships specifically for community college students, Phi Theta Kappa members, students earning associate degrees, and students transferring to four-year colleges.
This guide focuses on U.S. transfer students, especially students moving from a two-year community college to a bachelor’s degree program. It also includes university-specific transfer awards worth researching.
Who Should Use This Guide?
- Community college students planning to transfer to a four-year university.
- Students pursuing an associate degree.
- Students who have completed some college credits and want to transfer.
- Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members.
- First-generation college students.
- Students with strong academic records.
- Students with financial need.
- Students looking for scholarships to help complete their bachelor’s degree.
Important: Transfer scholarship requirements differ. Some are specifically for community college students who have never attended a four-year university. Others accept students transferring between four-year institutions. Always check the eligibility rules before applying.
1. National Scholarships for Transfer Students
These are some of the most important national opportunities to explore if you’re attending a community college and planning to complete your bachelor’s degree.
| Scholarship | Award | Who Can Apply? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship | Up to $55,000 per year for up to three years | High-achieving community college sophomores or recent graduates with a 3.5+ GPA and demonstrated financial need who have not previously attended a four-year institution | Typically December |
| Hites Transfer Scholarship | Up to $7,500 | Phi Theta Kappa members with at least 45 completed college credits, a 3.5+ GPA, and plans to transfer full-time to a four-year college | Typically December |
| Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholarship | Gold: $1,500; Silver: $1,250; Bronze: $1,000 | Eligible community college students with strong academic records, leadership, and service; college nomination required | Typically December |
| All-USA Academic Team Scholarship | Up to $3,000 | High-achieving community college students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and service; college nomination required | Typically December |
| New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship | Award amount varies by program | Eligible Phi Theta Kappa members pursuing transfer from a two-year college to a four-year institution | Check annual PTK application |
| Christopher Calhoun Transfer Scholarship | Up to $1,000 | Eligible PTK members attending a two-year college in South Carolina who plan to transfer to a four-year institution | Check annual PTK application |
A closer look at the major opportunities
Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
<badge color=”success”>Top opportunity to research</badge>
This is one of the largest and most competitive scholarships specifically designed for community college transfer students.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides up to $55,000 per year for up to three years toward completing a bachelor’s degree.
Funding can help cover:
- Tuition
- Housing and meals
- Books
- Required fees
- Other educational expenses
To qualify, applicants generally must:
- Be a current student at an accredited U.S. community college or two-year institution with sophomore status, or a recent graduate who meets the program’s graduation window.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
- Demonstrate significant unmet financial need.
- Plan to enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited four-year institution.
- Have no previous enrollment at a four-year college, subject to limited exceptions.
There is no age restriction, and U.S. citizenship is not required. However, applicants must have attended an eligible two-year institution in the United States and meet all other requirements.
This scholarship is highly competitive. The foundation typically selects approximately 65 transfer scholars each year.
Official website: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship/
Hites Transfer Scholarship
This scholarship is offered through Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society for students at two-year colleges.
It recognizes community college students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and involvement in their college and community.
To qualify, students generally must:
- Be a PTK member in good standing.
- Have completed at least 45 semester credits.
- Maintain a GPA of at least 3.5.
- Be enrolled in at least six semester credits of associate-degree coursework through the specified eligibility period.
- Plan to transfer to an accredited four-year college as a full-time student.
Award: Up to $7,500.
Official website: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/hites-transfer-scholarship/
Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholarship
The Coca-Cola Academic Team recognizes community college students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
Awards include:
- Gold: $1,500
- Silver: $1,250
- Bronze: $1,000
Students must meet the academic and enrollment requirements and be nominated by their college. The program is administered through Phi Theta Kappa.
Official website: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/coca-cola-academic-team-scholarship/
All-USA Academic Team Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes high-achieving community college students who demonstrate academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership, and service.
Students must meet the credit and GPA requirements and be nominated by their college.
Award: Up to $3,000.
Official website: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/all-usa-academic-team-scholarship/
New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship
This is another Phi Theta Kappa opportunity worth exploring for community college students preparing to transfer.
It recognizes students who demonstrate academic achievement and are continuing their education at a four-year institution.
Award details and eligibility are provided through the PTK scholarship application.
Official website: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/
2. Phi Theta Kappa: An Important Resource for Transfer Students
If you’re attending a community college, one organization you should know about is Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).
PTK is an honor society for students at two-year colleges. Eligible students may receive an invitation to join based on their academic performance and their college’s membership requirements.
Why should transfer students care?
Because PTK partners with hundreds of four-year colleges and universities that offer scholarships specifically for PTK members.
According to PTK, its university partners offer:
- More than 800 transfer scholarship opportunities.
- An average annual scholarship of more than $4,500 for PTK transfer students.
- A median award of $2,000.
Some university partner scholarships are noncompetitive for eligible members, meaning students who meet the institution’s requirements may receive the award without competing in a separate national selection process.
However, membership alone does not guarantee a scholarship. GPA, full-time enrollment, first-time transfer status, and other requirements may apply.
Explore PTK transfer scholarships here:
Explore PTK Connect:
PTK Connect allows students to search transfer scholarships by college, major, eligibility, and award amount.
My recommendation: If you’re attending a community college and have a strong GPA, ask your academic advisor or PTK chapter advisor whether you’re eligible for membership. Also ask about the scholarships available at the universities you’re considering.
3. University-Specific Transfer Scholarships
Many four-year colleges offer scholarships specifically for incoming transfer students.
These awards may be based on:
- College GPA
- Number of completed credits
- Associate degree completion
- Phi Theta Kappa membership
- Community college partnerships
- Financial need
- Leadership and extracurricular activities
- Your intended major
Below are examples of universities with dedicated transfer scholarship opportunities.
| University | Award | Who Can Apply? |
|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) | Transfer awards range from $500–$15,000 under its published program | Eligible incoming community college transfer students, including qualifying undocumented and DACA students; academic and credit requirements apply |
| University of San Francisco | Transfer merit scholarships up to $20,000 per year, with some eligible community college students qualifying for additional support | Incoming transfer students considered based on cumulative transfer GPA; some community college partnerships have additional requirements |
| Goucher College | Transfer merit awards up to $35,000 per year, plus certain associate-degree, PTK, and honors awards | Incoming transfer students; GPA, degree completion, and membership requirements vary by award |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) | Transfer academic awards and a separate PTK scholarship | Eligible incoming transfer students with the required GPA and qualifying community college/organizational status |
| Boston University | Full-tuition awards for selected students from certain partner community colleges | Students from specified community colleges who meet academic, credit, nomination, and other program requirements |
Explore these university opportunities
UMBC Transfer Scholarships
UMBC offers merit scholarships for incoming community college transfer students. Its published program includes awards for academic achievement, Phi Theta Kappa members, and Transfer Student Alliance members.
Some awards can be combined, while others cannot. Students must first be admitted to UMBC and meet the credit and academic requirements.
Official website: https://scholarships.umbc.edu/transfers/
University of San Francisco Transfer Scholarships
USF automatically considers transfer applicants for merit scholarships based on their cumulative college GPA. Some students from designated community college partners may qualify for additional scholarships.
Official website: https://www.usfca.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/transfer
Goucher College Transfer Scholarships
Goucher offers merit awards for transfer students, as well as additional awards for students who have completed an associate degree, are PTK members, or have completed a community college honors program.
Official website: https://www.goucher.edu/become/transfer-students/transfer-scholarships
UAB Transfer Scholarships
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers transfer academic scholarships and an additional award for eligible Phi Theta Kappa members.
Official website: https://www.uab.edu/admissions/cost/scholarships/transfer-students
Boston University Transfer Scholarships
Boston University offers special transfer scholarships for selected students from certain community colleges. Some awards are full tuition, but they are limited to students who meet specific partner-school, credit, academic, and nomination requirements.
Official website: https://www.bu.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/scholarships-financial-aid/transfer-merit-scholarships/
Note: University award amounts and requirements can change. These are examples of published transfer scholarship programs, not guaranteed awards for every applicant.
4. State and Local Transfer Scholarships
Don’t overlook scholarships offered by your state, county, or local community foundation.
Many states have programs that encourage students to begin at a community college and then complete a bachelor’s degree at an in-state university.
Examples include:
- State community college transfer scholarships.
- Community college graduate scholarships.
- State university transfer merit awards.
- Scholarships for students transferring within public university systems.
- County and city foundation scholarships.
- Employer-sponsored scholarships for local students.
If you’re in Maryland, for example, explore:
- Maryland community college transfer scholarships.
- UMBC transfer awards.
- University of Maryland transfer financial aid.
- Morgan State University transfer scholarships.
- Maryland Community College Promise and other state aid programs, where eligible.
For other states, search the state’s higher education agency and your community college’s financial aid office.
A good starting point for Maryland students:
5. Scholarships by Major for Transfer Students
You do not have to limit your search to scholarships with the word “transfer” in the title.
Students transferring into specific fields may qualify for additional funding through professional associations, employers, and academic organizations.
| Field of Study | Organizations and Scholarships to Explore |
|---|---|
| Engineering & Computer Science | NSBE, SWE, SHPE, IEEE, and university engineering scholarships |
| Nursing & Healthcare | FNSNA, AACN, local hospital foundations, and nursing association scholarships |
| Business & Accounting | AICPA Foundation, NABA, DECA, and university business school awards |
| Education | TEACH Grant, state educator scholarships, and university education department awards |
| Agriculture & Environmental Science | USDA-supported programs, agriculture foundations, and university departmental scholarships |
| Science & Research | Barry Goldwater Scholarship (for eligible sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers), and university research awards |
| Public Service & Government | University public-service scholarships, state programs, and professional association awards |
Remember that not every scholarship listed here is exclusively for transfer students. However, eligible transfer students may apply if they meet the individual requirements.
6. How to Find More Transfer Scholarships
Here are some resources I recommend adding to your scholarship search routine.
| Resource | What It Offers | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) | National scholarships and university-specific transfer scholarships | https://www.ptk.org/ |
| PTK Connect | Searchable transfer scholarship and college database | https://www.ptk.org/benefits/ptk-connect/ |
| Jack Kent Cooke Foundation | Major scholarship for community college transfer students | https://www.jkcf.org/ |
| Scholarship America | National scholarship search | https://scholarshipamerica.org/ |
| CareerOneStop | Scholarship search tool supported by the U.S. Department of Labor | https://www.careeronestop.org/ |
| College Board BigFuture | Scholarship search and college-planning resources | https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ |
| Your Community College | Institutional, local, and transfer-specific scholarships | Check your college’s financial aid website |
7. Transfer Student Checklist: Before You Apply
A successful transfer application involves more than getting accepted into a four-year university. You should also plan how to pay for your remaining education.
Use this checklist:
- Meet with your community college transfer advisor.
- Research universities that accept your credits.
- Check whether your associate degree qualifies for transfer agreements.
- Review the scholarship opportunities at each university.
- Ask whether PTK membership provides additional scholarship eligibility.
- Complete the FAFSA if eligible.
- Prepare your college transcripts.
- Prepare recommendation letters and personal statements.
- Check whether scholarships require a separate application.
- Confirm whether awards are renewable.
- Compare the total cost after scholarships and financial aid.
What Is an Articulation Agreement?
An articulation agreement is an agreement between colleges that outlines how credits transfer from one institution to another.
Some community colleges have partnerships with four-year universities that make transferring easier and may provide additional scholarship opportunities.
Before choosing your transfer university, ask:
- Which credits will transfer?
- Will my associate degree satisfy general education requirements?
- Is there a guaranteed admission pathway?
- Are there scholarships for students completing this pathway?
- Will I still need additional credits to graduate?
You can save time and money by understanding these agreements before you transfer.
Final Thoughts
Community college can be an excellent pathway to a bachelor’s degree, and transferring does not mean you have to miss out on scholarship opportunities.
In fact, some scholarships are specifically designed to reward students who have performed well at community colleges and are continuing their education.
Start with the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, explore Phi Theta Kappa, research university-specific transfer awards, and ask your college advisor about local opportunities.
Your community college journey is not the end of your educational path. It can be the beginning of an even bigger opportunity.
Save this guide and share it with a student planning to transfer!
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